A few regular readers may have noticed that I use the term survivor sparingly, as there are just not that many cars with decades of age that really fall into the true meaning of that category. And this designation seems especially uncommon with tri-fives, as the last one rolled off the assembly line more than 65 years ago plus the car’s timeless styling and popularity led many enthusiasts to begin performing high-quality restorations and custom creations not all that long after many of these were new. Not that any of this is a bad thing, but it just tends to leave a small number of original examples to pick from. This 1955 Chevrolet 210 here on eBay seems to be one example that fits the mold of a real survivor, and lots of potential buyers are taking note as 66 bids have already been placed, raising the price up to $25,200 so far. The Chevy is located in El Paso, Texas, if you want to go check it out in person.
Of the ’55 Chevy’s, the 210 was a mid-range choice, a bit more upscale than the 150 but not quite as well-trimmed as the Bel Air, although all three models are hot commodities when you find one that’s all original, which is exactly how the seller describes his car. He goes on to say it’s a one-family-owned true survivor, plus is realistic in understanding it’s nowhere near perfect. The body has gotten a few dents over the years and the paint is showing patina, but some really great news is the tin worm hasn’t been an issue, as the car is stated to be 100% rust-free.
Everything we can see inside appears to live up to what you’d expect an unrestored ’55 to look like in there, with the driver’s side of the bench seat taking the brunt of the wear along with some fraying of the side material behind the doors. We don’t get all that many pictures and the dash area isn’t shown, but the door panels seem to be in decent shape on the passenger side, and although the headliner has a few stains it appears better than I was anticipating for the most part. The seller thinks the trunk mat may be from the factory and also suggests the spare might be the original.
Don’t you miss the days when you had enough room to replace 6 spark plugs in not much longer than that many minutes? The 235 is claimed to be the original engine and said to run smoothly, with the smooth-shifting Powerglide also noted as a factory component. All this scenario brings up an important question- do you just leave everything like it is and preserve the car in its present state, or consider the Chevy a clean slate concept and build your dream? There’s also a buy-it-now option for $36,200 if you can’t wait to make that decision. What would you do with this one?
I would imagine there are still plenty of Tri-Fives around that are incomplete and/or in worse shape than this one, or have already be “restomodded.” If one wants to own a “dream-spec” ’55, look at one of those.
Even though I like horsepower and manual transmissions and a/c, the only debate I’d have with myself in this case is whether to freshen the paint and interior. That’s a hard enough choice, and one of those two alternatives is the only answer, IMO.
I would like to thank you Mike for not calling it Bel-Air.
I learned many years ago in this profession, “they’re only origional once…”
f all the cars I’ve seen in the post this past week. The many that have resulted in a putter patter of my heart beat…this one jumps. Love this one.
I think I’m a “real survivor” getting cancer when I retired at 65 2yrs ago and outliving my 2yr projected life expectancy, and so far wiping out 1/2 my savings due to non covered medical related costs…
Yes you are….that life story is a game changer..May God Bless you…
Thanks “Edsel”
Hope you have many more years. Continue to take care.
Many thanks 62 Linnc!
I would like to thank you Mike for not calling it Bel-Air.
I am a FORD guy thru and thru but, the ONLY cheebie I like is a 55. I don’t know why, and if my dad found out he would slap me. BUT that 6 banger would have to go, although it is painted FORD blue. I would yank that 6 banger out, use it for yard art, and drop in a built 351 Cleveland with a good ol top loader 4-speed, and of course a FORD 9 inch rear end, straight axle in front jacked up about 5 inches and make a nice streetable gasser, put Powered by FORD stickers on the fenders, take it to car shows and watch the chvy people just cry and moan. Gotta love it!
not!!!!!!!!!
Hmmm… turnabout is fair play. Woofer, I salute you!!!
.
not!!!!!!!!!!
Just stupid
55 210 is my fantasy car. I always wanted one in Candy Apple Red. Tilt nose with a 392 Hemi Hilborn injection with magneto distributor . 727 Auto beef up. Dana 40 rear with 3:73 gears. And with AC under the hood. And vintage magnesium Wheels. Black interior and fuzzy dice hanging on the mirror etc etc.😊 Now this one here. I would fix up the interior then detail the whole car. Clean the engine and repaint the parts that need it. Leave it original not that many left in this condition. And be proud driving it to car shows. I just hope the next owner do what I just describes to save it. And not drop a LS engine into it!!!! 🐻🇺🇸
“A/C under the hood”. Would you use that to keep the 392 cool?
Freshen up the interior and drive it and love it just the way it is.
I love it, a 55 210, Del Ray interior, would be a dream come true. The BIN price seems a bit high. Not sure where it will end up, way more than I would pay. There is a very similar car here in Phoenix that is changing owners. The buyer was the seller years ago and is now buying it back. The price is yet to be set. The buyer says it doesn’t matter and I am sure it’s true. The original owners were two old spinster ladies and they bought it new. The buyer now will become the 4th owner and was also the second owner. Knowing the history, I think it will be a long time if ever, before there is a 5th owner
$36,200.00 for a 68 yr. old car? Some one has a high opinion of what can only be described as being in fair condition. Yes it is a 55 Chevy, but it’s nowhere worth
$36K. Any one that desperate to pay that kind of money
needs his head examined.
Current high bid is 29K. The economy must be better than I thought.
I’m glad I am not the only one who thinks that the BIN is very high for this car. I know that the collector car market has really changed in the last several years but it wasn’t that long ago that this kind of money bought a #2 condition tri-five. Being that this is a “survivor” enhances its desirability and I like the car for what it is. But the six cylinder and Powerglide removes a lot of the shine for me. I would also absolutely have to put a seat cover up front. Couldn’t live with the tattered look. But that’s just me. I’m all for leaving it mostly the way it is now. I hope that the next owner doesn’t restore or restorod it. I’m going to watch this one to see what the final bid is.
Had one like that but a gray top and 3 speed. Hurst floor shit. Had a fight with a girl friend and tried to blow the engine at a drag strip. Came to the class final, running against a 57 Ford Fairlane 312 supercharged. Won that when a seal let go on the super charger and fouled the spark plugs. Still have that trophy.
They’re only original once! I would fix what needs to be fixed and just drive it!
Wow, a rust free Navaho Tan original ‘55 210 sedan, the only thing I would do is replace the front seat cover and replace the padding, replace the carpet and detail the engine compartment and exterior, I’m starting to like the look of the six cylinder with that cool air cleaner, there we’re more six cylinder put in ‘55s than v8s. What a great find, someone’s getting a great car. Keep it original please. Best of health to you PTS , Tony in Ohio